Course Description: Study the aesthetic principles and practices of audio and video production for digital media. Focus on the technological requirements of producing audio and video for different delivery systems such as television, interactive CD/DVD, and the web. Prerequisite: Admission to major

Required Text: Zettl, H (2006). (5th Ed.). Video Basics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. (Be sure to get the version that comes with the VideoLab 3.0 DVD) ISBN: 0495050326

Required Supplies:
(1) Pair of headphones or earbuds. (Mini-Plug end)
(1) USB Pen Drive (at least 128 megabytes)
*** NOTE 1: The USB Pen Drive must be dedicated for use in this class. The "Non-Linear Video Editing Assignment" will require a great deal of strorage space, therefore you cannot have files for other classes or purposes on this drive.
*** NOTE 2: The USB Pen Drive must be Macintosh formatted. When you buy a USB Pen Drive, it will probably come PC formatted. You'll need to re-format the drive on one of the Macs in our classroom.

The Gruver Zone
SMAD's Network and Lab Manager, John Gruver, is our resident expert on all things Mac. He has identified common problems or mistakes that create frustrations within our labs. I call his words of wisdom, "The Gruver Zone." You are absolutely required to read and abide by these morsels of great wisdom.

Disability Policy: Any student who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate his or her educational opportunities.

Honor Code: Students shall observe complete honesty in all academic matters. You are expected to read the Honor Code online at: http://www.jmu.edu/honor/code.html. The Honor System web site is located at: http://www.jmu.edu/honor.

Lab Food/Drink Policy:
It is a judicial violation to go against the posted rules of the labs. Only bottled water is allowed in labs.

University Registration Regulation:
Students are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class schedules on e-campus. The deadline for adding a Fall Semester class without instructor and academic unit head signatures is Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006. Between Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006 and Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, instructor and academic unit head signatures are required to add a class for Fall Semester 2006. No student will be allowed to register for a Fall Semester class after Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006. No exceptions will be made to these deadlines.
W/WP/WF/I

Under extenuating circumstances a student may request an “I” (incomplete) for this course. Extenuating circumstances are usually, but not limited to extreme health conditions. A student has one semester to make up the remaining work in the class or the “I” will revert to an “F” automatically. Once the student has completed the work, the “I” will be removed and a grade will be assigned. The “W” is given prior to the withdrawal date set by the Registrar’s Office, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006; in other words, a student withdraws from the class for whatever reason. After that date the student will be assigned either a “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing) and it is left up to the professor as to which one to assign. Neither designation affects a student’s GPA but will appear on the student’s transcript.

Attendance Policy: Any student who does not attend the first two (2) scheduled meetings of the class will be administratively dropped from the class. All students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their schedules through the web at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar.

Prompt and regular class attendance is crucial to your success in this class and you are expected to attend every session. Class roll will be taken daily at the beginning of class. You will be allowed two (2) absences in this class. Please realize that two absences are not encouraged, but will be accepted without a grade deduction. The third absence will result in the lowering of your final grade by one letter grade, as determined by faculty attendance records. A fifth absence will result in a lowering of your final grade by one additional letter grade. Absences are counted from the first day of class regardless of when you registered.

If you arrive late to class after roll has been taken, it is your responsibility to notify me as such at the end of that class period. Do not fail to tell me, because it is not my responsibility to keep track of who arrives late. If you don't tell me at the end of the class period, you were not in class.

These absences are intended to accommodate illness, emergencies and all other circumstances. You do not need to contact me if you're sick, just plan on using one of your two absences. There is no distinction made between "excused" and "unexcused" absences after the first two. All absences beyond two are unexcused at that point.

Inclement Weather Policy: In case of inclement weather, listen to JMU radio station 1610AM or check the JMU home page (www.jmu.edu) or other area radio and television stations for school closing information. You will be expected to follow the JMU weather delay or cancellation schedule. In the case of a class delay, any assignment scheduled is due that day. In the case of a class cancellation, any assignment scheduled is due at the beginning of the next scheduled class period. If a test is affected by a cancellation, that test will be given during the next scheduled class period.

Assignments: There will be three exams given during the semester, including the final exam. Students will complete two assignments. Specific production elements will be discussed later in class. Late Assignments will result in a one letter grade drop in score and no late project will be accepted after one week from the due date. There will be no makeup for a missed TV studio project.

For more information about this web site, contact Dr. Steve Anderson at anderssd@jmu.edu.